The first part of Kenneth Anger’s Magick Lantern Cycle appeared on DVD in a splendid edition from Fantoma earlier this year. The second and final part is due for release on October 2nd and you can see the mouthwatering trailer here.
This new set includes the Cocteau-esque Harlequinade, Rabbit’s Moon (1950); homoerotica, bikers and rock’n’roll in Scorpio Rising (1964); a hot rod, a blond boy in tight pants and the Paris Sisters crooning Dream Lover in Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965); magick ceremonies and Mick Jagger playing with a Moog synth in Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969); and Donald Cammell, Marianne Faithfull, Egypt, volcanoes, Aleister Crowley, an orange UFO and a great score from Bobby Beausoleil in the miniature epic, Lucifer Rising (1982).
The Magick Lantern Cycle is a great work of cinema that’s suffered from shoddy presentation on previous video releases; Fantoma have given these films the care and attention they deserve. If you haven’t seen them yet, you’re in for a treat.
Previously on { feuilleton }
• James Bidgood
• Kenneth Anger on DVD…finally
• Un Chant d’Amour by Jean Genet
Oh man, to able to see ‘Invocation’ , ‘Scorpio’ and’Lucifer Rising’ with that clear of picture is worth this long wait. That trailer is so beautiful, I’m saving it just to get by until the release actually comes. A month of chief pagan significance to release another by one of the most pagan-influenced film makers is quite appropriate as far as I am concerned.
I’ve seen all of these in a cinema, but–as I think I said of the first batch–these transfers look even better! Can’t wait to spend an evening watching the whole run from start to finish.
I saw “Scorpio Rising” at a gay film festival many years ago, it’s great to know cycle is out on DVD! Thanks.